The latest news from Ventnor Cricket Club.
DARREN GOUGH TO LINE UP FOR LASHINGS AT NEWCLOSE
Darren Gough, the former England fast bowler, will be the star attraction when Lashings World XI pay their first ever visit to Newclose County Cricket Ground, Newport this coming Sunday.
Gough, who retired from the professional game in 2008, played in 58 test matches and 159 one day internationals and is recognised as one of England’s finest ever quick bowlers.
‘Dazzler’s’ inclusion in the Lashings line up will not only be a major draw for cricket followers. Fans of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing will also be keen to catch a glimpse of the twinkle toed Yorkshireman who defied the odds to win the 2005 series to the delight of millions of viewers across the country.
The Lashings side will also include West Indies legend Richie Richardson, Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey, former England men Phil de Freitas and Devon Malcolm, New Zealand’s hard hitting batsman Lou Vincent, former Indian test star Wasim Jaffer and the Pakistan duo of Rashid Latif and Mohammed Akram.
Wicket-keeper Steve Snell, who played for Ventnor before forging a career in the professional game with Gloucestershire, returns for a guest appearance.
The match, which is sponsored by HTP, an Island based training company, starts at 2.30.
HEAVY DEFEAT HITS VENTNOR SURVIVAL HOPES
A talented Hampshire Academy side defeated Ventnor by 113 runs at Newclose in the Southern Electric Premier Division on Saturday. This latest setback sees Ventnor still second from bottom but only just ahead of basement club Lymington whose match at South Wilts was abandoned.
With only one club relegated, the battle to avoid the drop is likely to go the last round of fixtures on the 28 August when Ventnor host Alton and Lymington visit likely title winners Bournemouth.
This weekend, Charlie Freeston’s side travel to Bashley while their relegation rivals take on Havant.
Ventnor were left cursing yet another lower order partnership on Saturday as Hampshire Academy rattled up 248-9 from 50 overs. It could have been so different, however, as effective spells from skipper Freeston, Sean Nowak and Roger Miller reduced the young visitors to 71-5 after 20 overs with dangerman Benny Howell dismissed for 38.
With the wet weather somehow steering clear of Newclose, the match turned on a sixth wicket partnership of 112 between Chris Stone who made a fine 91 and former Ryde all-rounder Jamie Miller who hit an impressive 46. Their efforts ensured Ventnor would face a challenging total in gloomy conditions.
Adam Hose (20) and Ian Hilsum (37) helped the home team to 71-3 but a flurry of wickets in mid-innings wrecked any chance of a much needed victory. Roger Miller, Sean Nowak, youngster Henry Bartlett and Charlie Freeston all failed to reach double figures with only Mark Whyte (14 not out) resisting long enough to ensure Ventnor at least managed one batting point to go with their four bowling points as the innings subsided to 135 all out.
SECOND TEAM DENIED BY THE WEATHER
The second team, promoted the previous week, were denied the opportunity of a fifteenth consecutive Hampshire League victory by the weather at Longparish. Not that Mark Woodhouse’s side had things their own way as they struggled for runs on a rain affected pitch, only Richard Wilson impressing with 51 in a modest total of 123 all out.
The home side had reached 72-6 (Adam Wilson 3-18) before heavy rain forced an abandonment.
Ventnor will hope to clinch a thoroughly deserved Division 3 championship at home to Southampton Community on Saturday.
THIRD TEAM LOSE AT GKN
The third team lost by 19 runs in a rain affected Harwood’s League match at GKN.
Chasing a total of 233-5 (Darren Ringer 61, Lee Ringer 61), Ventnor’s target was reduced to 202 by the weather but despite 44 from Mark Price they fell short.
Image: TC7 under CC BY-ND 2.0
